Utility easement could become greenway

Published: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 2:10 p.m.

A mile-long utility easement approved by county commissioners Wednesday could become a new section of greenway along the northeastern boundary of Jackson Park.

By a 5-0 vote, commissioners approved an easement that will allow the city of Hendersonville to install about 5,500 linear feet of sewer pipe from Jackson Park Road, near the ballfields, north to Four Seasons Boulevard. The line would parallel Bat Fork, a tributary of Mud Creek.

The easement would allow the city to replace a 20-year-old pumping station at Jackson Park with a $3.9 million sewage “interceptor” line. The antiquated pump station, which serves 1,700 customers, caused a major sewage spill in March 2011 into Bat Fork, which the state considers “impaired.”

At the request of Commissioner Mike Edney, the board approved the easement on the condition that biking and walking be allowed along an access road required along the sewer line for maintenance and repair. Bridges over three creeks would also be required.

County Engineer Marcus Jones agreed the easement would be a “nice stepping stone” for future extensions of the Oklawaha Greenway that runs through the park.

“A lot of the earthwork and leveling that's done for the right-of-way will make it easier to come in later with a greenway,” he said. But he pointed out the city's U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to install the sewer line and access road does not currently allow pedestrian bridges.

City Engineer Brent Detwiler said the city would have to apply for another Corps permit to allow pedestrians and bikers to cross streams, which “would be time-consuming and could jeopardize the project.”

Commissioners also made their approval of the easement contingent on the city waiving all hook-up fees, in case the county decides later to tap into the gravity-fed line from one of its Jackson Park buildings or restrooms.

City Utilities Director Lee Smith told commissioners he would recommend to City Council that they waive any fees as part of the easement acquisition agreement.

In other business, commissioners heard a presentation from David Nicholson, chairman of the Tourism Development Authority board created last September.

Nicholson said travel and tourism officials are “cautiously optimistic,” as the number of visitors continues to grow. He said travelers are doing shorter, last-minute getaways to close-by places that offer value packages, and are shopping around on the Web.

A survey of area visitors and analysis of destinations paid for by TDA will help the group create a strategic plan for future marketing efforts, Nicholson told commissioners. Results of the visitors survey by consultant Berkeley Young will be presented to the public in November.

“We want people to understand what tourists are saying about our community,” Nicholson said.

<p>A mile-long utility easement approved by county commissioners Wednesday could become a new section of greenway along the northeastern boundary of Jackson Park.</p><p>By a 5-0 vote, commissioners approved an easement that will allow the city of Hendersonville to install about 5,500 linear feet of sewer pipe from Jackson Park Road, near the ballfields, north to Four Seasons Boulevard. The line would parallel Bat Fork, a tributary of Mud Creek.</p><p>The easement would allow the city to replace a 20-year-old pumping station at Jackson Park with a $3.9 million sewage “interceptor” line. The antiquated pump station, which serves 1,700 customers, caused a major sewage spill in March 2011 into Bat Fork, which the state considers “impaired.”</p><p>At the request of Commissioner Mike Edney, the board approved the easement on the condition that biking and walking be allowed along an access road required along the sewer line for maintenance and repair. Bridges over three creeks would also be required.</p><p>County Engineer Marcus Jones agreed the easement would be a “nice stepping stone” for future extensions of the Oklawaha Greenway that runs through the park. </p><p>“A lot of the earthwork and leveling that's done for the right-of-way will make it easier to come in later with a greenway,” he said. But he pointed out the city's U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit to install the sewer line and access road does not currently allow pedestrian bridges.</p><p>City Engineer Brent Detwiler said the city would have to apply for another Corps permit to allow pedestrians and bikers to cross streams, which “would be time-consuming and could jeopardize the project.” </p><p>Commissioners also made their approval of the easement contingent on the city waiving all hook-up fees, in case the county decides later to tap into the gravity-fed line from one of its Jackson Park buildings or restrooms.</p><p>City Utilities Director Lee Smith told commissioners he would recommend to City Council that they waive any fees as part of the easement acquisition agreement.</p><p>In other business, commissioners heard a presentation from David Nicholson, chairman of the Tourism Development Authority board created last September. </p><p>Nicholson said travel and tourism officials are “cautiously optimistic,” as the number of visitors continues to grow. He said travelers are doing shorter, last-minute getaways to close-by places that offer value packages, and are shopping around on the Web.</p><p>A survey of area visitors and analysis of destinations paid for by TDA will help the group create a strategic plan for future marketing efforts, Nicholson told commissioners. Results of the visitors survey by consultant Berkeley Young will be presented to the public in November. </p><p>“We want people to understand what tourists are saying about our community,” Nicholson said. </p><p>Reach Axtell at 828-694-7860 or than.axtell@blueridgenow.com.</p>